Catalyst composition for preparing olefin polymers

ABSTRACT

A catalyst composition for preparing olefin polymers. The catalyst composition includes a metallocene compound and an activating cocatalyst. In the metallocene compound, two cyclopentadienyl groups are bridged by X (carbon, silicon, germanium or tin) in a ring structure. The bite angle θ formed by the two cyclopentadienyl rings and X is equal to or greater than 100 degrees. The obtained olefin polymer has high cycloolefin conversion and a high glass transition temperature. In addition, the catalyst composition can still maintain relatively high activity at high temperature reaction conditions.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 09/559,976 filed on Apr. 27, 2000, now pending

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention relates to a catalyst composition for preparing olefin polymers, and more particularly to a catalyst composition for preparing cycloolefin copolymers with a high cycloolefin conversion and a high glass transition temperature. The catalyst composition can still maintain relatively high activity at high temperature reaction conditions.

[0004] 2. Description of the Prior Art

[0005] Olefin-based polymers have been used in a wide range of applications. One group of commonly used olefin-based polymers is polyolefins, that is, homopolymers or copolymers of olefins. These polyolefin polymers are typically used in such applications as blow and injection molding, extrusion coating, film and sheeting, pipe, wire and cable.

[0006] An example of polyolefin is ethylene-propylene elastomer (ethylene-propylene rubbers, EPR). It has many end-use applications due to its resistance to weather, good heat aging properties and its ability to be compounded with large quantities of fillers and plasticizers. Typical automotive uses are radiator and heater hoses, vacuum tubing, weather stripping and sponge doorseals. Typical industrial uses are sponge parts, gaskets and seals.

[0007] Another group of commonly used olefin-based polymers is cycloolefin copolymers (COC). One of the examples is a copolymer of cycloolefin and ethylene, which has an extraordinarily high glass transition temperature compared with traditional polyolefins owing to its incorporation of cyclic monomers. Also, the polymer has high transparency in physical properties due to reduced crystallinity by the incorporation of cyclic monomers. The combination of light transparency, heat resistance, aging resistance, chemical resistance, solvent resistance, and low dielectric constant makes COC a valuable material that has attracted research activities in both academic and industrial sectors. Currently, ethylene/cycloolefin copolymers have been demonstrated to be a suitable material in the field of optical materials such as optical memory disks and optical fibers.

[0008] Ethylene/cycloolefin copolymers are usually prepared in the presence of metallocene/aluminoxane catalyst systems, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,559,199 (Abe et al.) and U.S. Pat. No. 5,602,219 (Aulbach et al.) In U.S. Pat. No. 5,559,199, metallocenes such as isopropylidene (cyclopentadienylmethylcyclopentadienyl)zirconium dichloride are disclosed. In U.S. Pat. No. 5,602,219, metallocenes such as dimethylsilyl-(1-indenyl)-cyclopentadienylzirconium dichloride are disclosed.

[0009] However, conventional processes for preparing ethylene-cycloolefin copolymers have some common problems. First, the conversion of the cycloolefin (or the incorporation of the cycloolefin) is too low. Second, the high incorporation of ethylene results in too low a glass transition temperature (Tg) of the copolymer.

[0010] To increase the conversion of the cycloolefin, a common technique is to increase the reaction temperature or reducing reaction pressure of ethylene. However, using this technique, the reactivity for the production of cycloolefin polymer will be reduced as the examples show in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,602,219 and 5,559,199. Obviously, this technique will reduce the commercial feasibility for COC polymerization. Therefore, efforts to enhance the reactivity of catalyst for increasing the incorporation of cyclic olefins during the COC polymerization processes are highly desirable in the industrial applications.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0011] An object of the present invention is to provide a catalyst composition for preparing olefin polymers, particularly for preparing ethylene/cycloolefin copolymers with high cycloolefin incorporation and a high Tg.

[0012] To achieve the above-mentioned object, the catalyst composition of the present invention catalyst composition for preparing an olefin polymer includes (a) a metallocene compound represented by formula (I) and (b) an activating cocatalyst.

[0013] Formula (I) has the structure

[0014] wherein

[0015] R¹ can be the same or different and is hydrogen, halogen, an alkyl, alkenyl, aryl, alkylaryl or arylalkyl group having from 1 to 20 carbon atoms, or two adjacent R¹ groups can link together with the carbon atoms to which they are attached to form a saturated or unsaturated ring system having from 4 to 20 carbon atoms;

[0016] R² can be the same or different and has the same definition as R¹;

[0017] X is carbon, silicon, germanium or tin;

[0018] n is 2 to 12;

[0019] R³ and R⁴ can be the same or different and are hydrogen, halogen, an alkyl, alkenyl, aryl, alkylaryl or arylalkyl group having from 1 to 12 carbon atoms;

[0020] M is a Group IVB transition metal with an oxidation state of +4;

[0021] Y is the same or different and is independently an anionic ligand with a −1 valence; and

[0022] the angle θ formed by the two cyclopentadienyl rings and X is equal to or greater than 100 degrees.

[0023] In formula (I), X is preferably carbon or silicon, and n is preferably 2, 3 or 4.

[0024] The activating cocatalyst can be (1) an aluminoxane, (2) a mixture of AlR¹¹R¹²R¹³ and a borate, or (3) a mixture of AlR¹¹R¹²R¹³ and an aluminoxane, wherein R¹¹, R¹², and R¹³ are a C₁₋₂₀ aliphatic group or a C₆₋₁₀ aromatic group.

[0025] The catalyst composition of the present invention can be used to prepare an olefin polymer. Using the catalyst composition to prepare a cycloolefin copolymer, the cycloolefin incorporation is increased, and the copolymer obtained has a high glass transition temperature ranging from 60° C.-350° C.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026]FIG. 1 is an X-ray crystal structure of the metallocene compound prepared from Catalyst Example 5 of the present invention.

[0027]FIG. 2 is an X-ray crystal structure of the metallocene compound prepared from Catalyst Example 6 of the present invention.

[0028]FIG. 3 is an X-ray crystal structure of the metallocene compound prepared from Catalyst Example 7 of the present invention.

[0029]FIG. 4 is an X-ray crystal structure of the metallocene compound prepared from Comparative Catalyst Example 8 of the present invention.

[0030]FIG. 5 is an X-ray crystal structure of the metallocene compound prepared from Comparative Catalyst Example 9 of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0031] The present invention provides a catalyst composition for preparing olefin polymers, which includes a metallocene compound represented by formula (I) and an activating cocatalyst.

[0032] One aspect of the present invention resides in that X (Group IVA element such as C) in formula (I) is bridged by —(CR³R⁴)_(n)— to form a three-, four-, or five-member ring structure, wherein n is 2, 3 or 4. Thus, the angle θ formed by the two cyclopentadienyl rings and X is equal to or greater than 100 degrees.

[0033] Referring to the conventional metallocenes for preparing cycloolefin copolymers in U.S. Pat. No. 5,559,199 (U.S. Pat. No. '199) and U.S. Pat. No. 5,602,219 (U.S. Pat. No. '219) as mentioned above, for example, isopropylidene(cyclopenta-dienylfluorenyl)zirconium dichloride and dimethylsilyl-(1-indenyl)cyclopentadienylzirconium dichloride, it can be seen that two methyl groups are bonded to the carbon or silicon atom of the metallocene. Part of the chemical structure of the metallocene is depicted in the Table 1 for better understanding, in which Cp indicates unsubstituted or substituted cyclopentadienyl, and θ₁, θ₂, and θ₃, indicate the angle formed by Cp, Group IVA element, and another Cp (Cp-IVA-Cp), which is called the bite angle. TABLE 1 U.S. ′199, (bite U.S. ′219 (bite Present invention angle's X-ray data, angle's X-ray data, (bite angle, see FIG. 1 see Journnl of see Organometallic and Table 2) vide infra Organometallic 1994, 13, 964 and Chemistry 1995, 497 Journal of 105). Organometallic Chemistry 1989, 369, 359).

θ₁ = 98.4° θ₂ = 94.3˜94.8° θ₃ = 100.8°

[0034] In contrast with the metallocene of U.S. Pat. No. '199 and U.S. Pat. No. '219, the Group IVA element such as carbon is bridged by —(CR³R⁴)_(n)— (n=2, 3 or 4) to form a ring structure in the present invention. As a result of this bridging, the angle formed by Cp-IVA-Cp can be enlarged.

[0035] That is to say, angle θ₃ is larger than both θ₁ and θ₂.

[0036] It should be noted that to date, metallocene catalysts containing a bite angle larger than 100 degrees have never been reported from prior art.

[0037] When a conventional metallocene compound is used as a catalyst to prepare a copolymer of a cycloolefin and an acyclic olefin (such as ethylene), since the bite angle is small, it is difficult for the cycloolefin that has a larger size than ethylene to approach the metallocene's active site. Thus, an undesired low incorporation amount of the cycloolefin occurs in the copolymer produced. However, when the metallocene compound of the present invention is used as the catalyst, the larger bite angle leads to a greater vacancy around the metallocene's active site. Thereby the larger sized cycloolefin has greater probability to approach the reactive site. Consequently, copolymers produced using the catalyst composition of the present invention tend to have a higher cycloolefin incorporation in the polymer backbone, thus significantly increasing their glass transition temperatures (Tg).

[0038] The scientific basis is explained as follows. In a bridged metallocene of the present invention, when the bite angle between two Cp rings opens up, the active center of the metal moves outward. This will substantially increase the ratio of the coordination speed of a cycloolefin to acyclic olefin monomer with the active center of the catalyst compared with other is catalysts, which increases the ratio of the cycloolefin relative to acyclic olefin monomer incorporated in the resulting copolymer in turn. The Tg of the copolymer increases accordingly, and the polymerization activity also increases. It should be noted that in a bridged metallocene catalyst, the bite angle resulting from a carbon bridge is obviously larger than that from a silicon bridge. One reason is that the element radius of carbon (0.77 Å) is smaller than that of silicon (1.11 Å). The other reason is that the electronegativity of carbon (2.5) is larger than that of silicon (1.8), thus carbon-carbon has a far larger bonding energy than silicon-carbon. Therefore, when Cp is bridged with a group IVA element, the silicon bridge has a larger degree of deformation than carbon, resulting in a smaller bite angle.

[0039] In formula (I), when R^(1l and R) ² are an alkyl, alkenyl, aryl, alkylaryl or arylalkyl group having from 1 to 20 carbon atoms, preferably from 1 to 15 carbon atoms, they are preferably C₁₋₁₀ alkyl, C₁₋₁₀ alkenyl, C₆₋₁₀ aryl, C₇₋₁₀ alkylaryl, and C₇₋₁₀ arylalkyl. Representative examples of R¹ and R² include H, methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, isobutyl, amyl, isoamyl, hexyl, 2-ethylhexyl, heptyl, octyl, vinyl, allyl, isopropenyl, phenyl, and tolyl.

[0040] When two adjacent R¹ (or R²) groups link together with the carbon atoms to which they are attached to form a ring system having from 4 to 20 carbon atoms, preferably 4 to 6 carbon atoms, R¹ (or R²) can form with the cyclopentadienyl moiety to which they are attached a saturated or unsaturated polycyclic cyclopentadienyl ring such as an indenyl, tetrahydroindenyl, fluorenyl or octahydrofluorenyl group. Representative examples of such rings include η⁵-cyclopentadienyl, η⁵-methylcyclopentadienyl, η⁵-ethylcyclopentadienyl, η⁵-propylcyclopentadeinyl, η⁵-tetramethylcyclopentadienyl, η⁵-pentamethylcyclopentadienyl, η⁵-n-butylcyclopenta-dienyl, indenyl, tetrahydroindenyl, fluorenyl, and octahydrofluorenyl.

[0041] Y can be H, a C₁₋₂₀ hydrocarbon group, a halogen, C₆₋₂₀ aryl, C₇₋₂₀ alkylaryl or arylalkyl, C₁₋₂₀ alkoxy, C₁₋₂₀ aryloxy, NH₂, NHR⁷, NR⁷R⁸, —(C═O)NH₂, —(C═O)NHR⁹, —(C═O)NR⁹R¹⁰, each of R⁷, R⁸, R⁹ and R¹⁰ being C₁₋₂₀ hydrocarbyl. Suitable Y groups include methyl, ethyl, phenyl, chlorine, bromine, methoxy, ethoxy, —NH₂, —NH(CH₃), —N(CH₃)₂, —N(C₂H₅)₂, and —N(C₃H₇)₂.

[0042] In the present invention, the metallocene compound represented by formula (I) can be combined with an activating coatalyst to form a catalyst composition, which can be used for preparing olefin polymers.

[0043] The cocatalyst used in the present invention can be (1) an aluminoxane, (2) a mixture of AlR¹¹R¹² R¹³ and a borate, or (3) a mixture of AlR¹¹R¹²R¹³ and an alumoxane. R¹¹, R¹², and R¹³ are a C₁₋₂₀ aliphatic group or a C₆₋₁₀ aromatic group. A preferred aluminoxane is methyl aluminoxane. Representative examples of AlR¹¹R¹²R¹³ include trimethyl aluminum, triethyl aluminum, tripropyl aluminum, trisopropyl aluminum, tributyl aluminum, and triisobutyl aluminum (TIBA). Representative examples of borates include N,N-dimethyl anilinium tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)borate, triphenyl carbenium tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)borate, trimethyl ammonium tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)borate, ferrocenium tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)borate, dimethyl ferrocenium tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)borate, and silver tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)borate.

[0044] Using the catalyst composition of the present invention, an olefin polymer can be synthesized. In the presence of a catalytically effective amount of the catalyst composition of the present invention under polymerizing conditions, an olefin monomer can be subjected to polymerization (homopolymerization), or at least one olefin monomer together with at least one other monomer can be subjected to polymerization (copolymerization).

[0045] According to the present invention, a preferred olefin is a cycloolefin. Preferably, the polymerization of the present invention is homopolymerization of a cycloolefin, or copolymerization of a cycloolefin and an acycloolefin.

[0046] Cycloolefins suitable for use in the present invention include a bicycloheptene, a tricyclodecene, a tricycloundecene, a tetracyclododecene, a pentacyclopentadecene, a pentacyclopentadecadiene, a pentacyclohexadecene, a hexacycloheptadecene, a heptacycloeicosene, a heptacycloheneicosene, an octacyclodocosene, a nonacyclopentacosene, and a nonacyclohexacosene. Representative examples include norbornene, tetracyclododecene, dicyclopentadiene, and ethylidene norbornene.

[0047] Suitable acyclic olefins can be ethylene or α-olefins. Representative examples of α-olefins include those olefins having 3 to 12 carbon atoms, such as propylene, 1-butene, 1-pentene, 1-hexene, and 1-octene.

[0048] More particularly, the catalyst composition of the present invention can be advantageously used to prepare acylic olefin/cycloolefin copolymers, such as ethylene/cycloolefin copolymers. By means of the specific catalyst composition, the ethylene/cycloolefin copolymer obtained will have a high cycloolefin conversion and a high Tg.

[0049] By means of the specific catalyst composition of the present invention, the resulting olefin polymer has a glass transition temperature ranging from 60-350° C., preferably 120-350° C., most preferably 250-350° C.

[0050] The novel catalyst composition disclosed in the present invention can be used in slurry reactions, gas phase reactions, and solution polymerization reactions. According to the experimental results of the present invention, it can be proved that the specific catalyst composition of the present invention can still have superior activity at a higher reaction temperature. Such superior activity will lead to the increase of the cycloolefin incorporation amount, and the cycloolefin copolymer obtained will have an increased Tg, which can not be achieved by a conventional similar catalyst.

[0051] According to the present invention, representative examples of the metallocene compound of formula (I) include the following formulae:

[0052] wherein R is a C₁-C₂₀ hydrocarbyl group,

[0053] wherein R is a C₁-C₂₀ hydrocarbyl group,

[0054] wherein R is a C₁-C₂₀ hydrocarbyl group,

[0055] wherein A is halogen,

[0056] wherein R is a C₁-C₂₀ hydrocarbyl group,

[0057] wherein R is a C₁-C₂₀ hydrocarbyl group,

[0058] wherein A is halogen, and

[0059] wherein A is halogen.

[0060] The following examples are intended to illustrate the process and the advantages of the present invention more fully without limiting its scope, since numerous modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Unless otherwise indicated, all parts, percents, ratios and the like are by weight.

[0061] Synthesis of Metallocene

CATALYST EXAMPLE 1

[0062] Synthesis of 1-cyclopentadienyl-1-indenylcyclobutane (a bridged cyclopentadiene)

[0063] Indene (5.8 g, 50 mmole) was placed in a 250 ml round bottom flask with 50 ml of THF (tetrahydrofuran). 40 ml (1.6 M, 64 mmole) of n-butyl lithium (n-BuLi) was is added into the solution under an ice bath. The mixture turned orange red. The ice bath was removed and the mixture was stirred for 3 hours. Then, the reaction mixture was stripped under vacuum to remove solvent, washed with 50 ml of pentane to remove excess n-BuLi, and filtered to collect the precipitate.

[0064] The precipitate was dissolved in 50 ml of THF and 6,6-trimethylenefulvene (5.9 g, 50 mmole) was added gradually to the solution under an ice bath. After stirring for 24 hours, 1 ml of water was added to the mixture to terminate the reaction. The reaction mixture was stripped under vacuum to remove solvent, dissolved with 100 ml of hexane, and filtered to collect the filtrate. The crude product (i.e., filtrate) was purified by column chromatography (the packing was 20 g of silica gel, the eluent was 100% hexane). The solution was then concentrated under reduced pressure to obtain a pale yellow liquid (8.2 g, yield=70%).

CATALYST EXAMPLE 2

[0065] Synthesis of 1-methylcyclopentadienyl-1-indenyl-cyclobutane

[0066] Indene (2.9 g, 25 mmole) was placed in a 250 ml round bottom flask with 30 ml of THF (tetrahydrofuran). 20 ml (1.6 M, 32 mmole) of n-butyl lithium (n-BuLi) was added into the solution under an ice bath. The mixture turned orange red. The ice bath was removed and the mixture was stirred for 3 hours. Then, the reaction mixture was stripped under vacuum to remove solvent, washed with 50 ml of pentane to remove excess n-BuLi, and is filtered to collect the precipitate.

[0067] The precipitate was dissolved in 30 ml of THF and 3-methyl-6,6-trimethylenefulvene (3.3 g, 25 mmole) was added gradually to the solution under an ice bath. After stirring for 24 hours, 1 ml of water was added to the mixture to terminate the reaction. The reaction mixture was stripped under vacuum to remove solvent, dissolved with 50 ml of hexane, and filtered to collect the filtrate. The crude product (i.e., filtrate) was purified by column chromatography (the packing was 20 g of silica gel, the eluent was 100% hexane). The solution was then concentrated under reduced pressure to obtain a pale yellow liquid (4.7 g, yield=75.8%).

CATALYST EXAMPLE 3

[0068] Synthesis of cyclobutylidene(1-η⁵-cyclopentadienyl) (1-η⁵-idenyl)bis(demethylamino)zirconium

[0069] 1-Cyclopentadienyl-1-indenylcyclobutane (0.94 g, 4 mmole) obtained as in Catalyst Example 1 and Zr(NMe₂)₄ (1 g, 3.7 mmole) were placed in a 100 ml round bottle flask. 20 ml of toluene was added to the flask and the mixture was allowed to react at room temperature for 15 hours. The reaction mixture was stripped under vacuum to remove solvent and then 50 ml of pentane was added to dissolve the residue. The solution was filtered and the filtrate was then concentrated to obtain a yellow solid (1.45 g, yield=95%).

CATALYST EXAMPLE 4

[0070] Synthesis of cyclobutylidene(1-η⁵-methylcyclopentadienyl) (1-η⁵-indenyl)bis(dimethylamino)zirconium

[0071] 1-Methylcyclopentadienyl-l-indenylcyclobutane (0.99 g, 4 mmole) obtained as in Catalyst Example 2 and Zr(NMe₂)₄ (1 g, 3.7 mmole) were placed in a 100 ml round bottle flask. 20 ml of toluene was added to the flask and the mixture was allowed to react at room temperature for 15 hours. The reaction mixture was stripped under vacuum to remove solvent and then 50 ml of pentane was added to dissolve the residue. The solution was filtered and the filtrate was then concentrated to obtain a yellow solid (1.54 g, yield=98%).

CATALYST EXAMPLE 5

[0072] Synthesis of cyclobutylidene(1-η⁵-cyclopentadienyl) (1-η⁵-fluorenyl)zirconium dichloride

[0073] 1-cyclopentadienyl-1-fluorenylcyclobutane was prepared by similar procedures as described in Catalyst Example 1. The resulting substance (1.14 g, 4 mmole) was combined in toluene with Zr(NMe₂)₄ (1 g, 3.7 mmole) within a 100 ml round bottle flask. 20 ml of toluene was added to the flask and the mixture was allowed to react at room temperature for 15 hours for providing the metallocene amide complex. The resulting solution was then treated with 1.05 ml of trimethylsilylchloride. The resulting solution was then allowed to react at room temerature for 6 hr to privide a yellow precipitate of cyclobutylidene (1-η⁵-cyclopentadienyl) (1-η⁵-fluorenyl)zirconium dichloride (1.15 g, 62% yield).

[0074] The precipitating powder of the catalyst was then recrystallized over toluene to form an X-ray quality single crystalline catalyst. X-ray crystal data and structural refinement were recorded by a Nonius Kappa ccd diffractometer at 295 K. Crystal data and structure refinement for the product cyclobutylidene(1-η⁵-cyclopentadienyl) (1-η⁵-fluorenyl)zirconium dichloride (labeled to IC 8359) is shown in Table 2 attached. Selected bond lengths and bond angles are listed in Table 3 attached. X-ray crystal structure is shown in FIG. 1. The results clearly indicate that a novel catalyst with exceptional large bite angle (100.8°) was obtained in the system.

CATALYST EXAMPLE 6

[0075] Synthesis of cyclobutylidene(1-η⁵-cyclopentadienyl) (1-η⁵-indenyl)zirconium dichloride

[0076] (1) 6,6-trimethylenefulvene (Catalyst A)

[0077] 5 g of cyclobutanone (71 mmol) and 14.35 ml of cyclopentadiene (175 mmol) were charged in a 300 ml reaction bottle. 70 ml of CH₃OH was added as a solvent. Then, 8.75 ml of pyrrolidine (105 mmol) was added gradually and the mixture was stirred at room temperature for 30 minutes. Next, 6.3 ml of CH₃COOH (105 mmol) was added gradually and stirred for 10 minutes. 200 ml of H₂O and 200 ml of pentane were used for extraction. The upper pentane portion was collected. The lower water portion was further extracted with pentane three times. The collected pentane portion was dehydrated with MgSO₄, held still for 30 minutes, filtered, and concentrated under reduced pressure to afford a yellow liquid product (5.5 g, yield=68.9%).

[0078] (2) 1-cyclopentadienyl-1-indenylcyclobutane

[0079] Indene (5.8 g, 50 mmole) was placed in a 250 ml round bottom flask with 50 ml of THF (tetrahydrofuran). 34.3 ml (1.6 M, 55 mmole) of n-butyl lithium (n-BuLi) was added into the solution under an ice bath. The mixture turned orange red. The ice bath was removed and the mixture was stirred for 3 hours. 5.4 g of 6,6-trimethylenefulvene (46 mmole) was added gradually to the mixture. After stirring for 24 hours, 1 ml of water was added to the mixture to terminate the reaction. The reaction mixture was stripped under vacuum to remove solvent, washed with 100 ml of pentane, and filtered to remove the salt. The crude product (i.e., filtrate) was purified by column chromatography (the packing was 20 g of silica gel, the eluent was 100% pentane). The solution was then concentrated under reduced pressure to obtain a pale yellow liquid (6.96 g, yield=65%).

[0080] (3) cyclobutylidene(1-η⁵-cyclopentadienyl)(1-η⁵-idenyl)bis(dimethylamino)zirconium

[0081] 1 g of 1-Cyclopentadienyl-1-indenylcyclobutane (4.3 mmol) obtained and Zr(NMe₂)₄ (1.06 g, 4.0 mmol) were placed in a 100 ml round bottle flask. 50 ml of toluene was added to the flask and the mixture was allowed to react for 24 hours. The reaction mixture was stripped under vacuum to remove solvent and then 20 ml of pentane was added to dissolve the residue. The solution was filtered and the filtrate was then concentrated to obtain an orange yellow solid (1.47 g, yield=89.3%).

[0082] (4) cyclobutylidene(1-η⁵-cyclopentadienyl) (1-η⁵-indenyl)-zirconium dichloride

[0083] 0.5 g of cyclobutylidene(1-η⁵-cyclopentadienyl) (1-η⁵-idenyl)bis(dimethylamino)zirconium (1.2 mmol) was charged in a 100 ml round bottle and 20 ml of toluene was added. 0.39 9 of (CH₃)₃SiCl (3.6 mmol) was added gradually at room temperature and the mixture was allowed to react for 24 hours. The reaction mixture stripped under vacuum to remove solvent and washed with pentane several times to remove excess (CH₃)₃SiCl. The pentane solution was then concentrated to obtain a pale yellow solid (0.4 g, yield=83.5%). X-ray crystal structure of the product cyclobutylidene (1-75-cyclopentadienyl) (1-η⁵-indenyl)-zirconium dichloride is shown in FIG. 2. The results clearly indicate that a novel catalyst with exceptional large bite angle (100.44°) was obtained in the system.

CATALYST EXAMPLE 7

[0084] Synthesis of cyclopentylidene(1-η⁵-cyclopentadienyl) (1-η⁵-indenyl) zirconium dichloride (Catalyst B)

[0085] (1) 6,6-tetramethylenefulvene

[0086] 6 g of cyclopentanone (71 mmol) and 14.35 ml of cyclopentadiene (175 mmol) were charged in a 300 ml reaction bottle. 70 ml of CH₃OH was added as a solvent. Then, 8.75 ml of pyrrolidine (105 mmol) was added gradually and the mixture was stirred at room temperature for 30 minutes. Next, 6.3 ml of CH₃COOH (105 mmol) was added gradually and stirred for 10 minutes. 200 ml of H₂O and 200 ml of pentane were used for extraction. The upper pentane portion was collected. The lower water portion was further extracted with pentane three times. The collected pentane portion was dehydrated with MgSO₄, held still for 30 minutes, filtered, and concentrated under reduced pressure to afford a yellow liquid product (8.4 g, yield=89%).

[0087] (2) 1-cyclopentadienyl-1-indenylcyclopentane

[0088] Indene (5.8 g, 50 mmole) was placed in a 250 ml round bottom flask with 50 ml of THF (tetrahydrofuran). 34.3 ml (1.6 M, 55 mmole) of n-butyl lithium (n-BuLi) was added into the solution under an ice bath. The mixture turned orange red. The ice bath was removed and the mixture was stirred for 3 hours. 6.1 g of 6,6-tetramethylenefulvene (46 mmole) was added gradually to the mixture. After stirring for 24 hours, 1 ml of water was added to the mixture to terminate the reaction. The reaction mixture was stripped under vacuum to remove solvent, washed with 100 ml of pentane, and filtered to remove the salt. The crude product (i.e., filtrate) was purified by column chromatography (the packing was 20 g of silica gel, the eluent was 100% pentane). The solution was then concentrated under reduced pressure to obtain a pale yellow liquid (7.6 g, yield=67%).

[0089] (3) cyclopentylidene(1-η⁵⁻cyclopentadienyl) (1-η⁵-idenyl)bis(dimethylamino)zirconium.

[0090] 1 g of 1-cyclopentadienyl-1-indenylcyclopentane (4.0 mmol) obtained and Zr(NMe₂)₄ (0.96 g, 3.6 mmol) were placed in a 100 ml round bottle flask. 50 ml of toluene was added to the flask and the mixture was allowed to react for 24 hours. The reaction mixture was stripped under vacuum to remove solvent and then 20 ml of pentane was added to dissolve the residue. The solution was filtered and the filtrate was then concentrated to obtain an orange yellow solid (1.41 g, yield=90.2%).

[0091] (4) cyclopentylidene(1-η⁵-cyclopentadienyl) (1-η⁵-indenyl)-zirconium dichloride

[0092] 0.51 g of cyclopentylidene(1-η⁵-cyclopentadienyl)(1-η⁵-indenyl)bis(dimethylamino)zirconium (1.2 mmol) was charged in a 100 ml round bottle and 20 ml of toluene was added. 0.39 g of (CH₃)₃SiCl (3.6 mmol) was added gradually at room temperature and the mixture was allowed to react for 24 hours. The reaction mixture stripped under vacuum to remove solvent and washed with pentane several times to remove excess (CH₃)₃SiCl. The pentane solution was then concentrated to obtain a pale yellow solid (0.42 g, yield=85.7%). X-ray crystal structure of the product cyclopentylidene(1-η⁵-cyclopentadienyl) (1-η⁵-indenyl)-zirconium dichloride is shown in FIG. 3. The results clearly indicate that a novel catalyst with exceptional large bite angle (101.0°) was obtained in the system.

COMPARATIVE CATALYST EXAMPLE 8

[0093] Synthesis of cycloheptylidene(1-η⁵-cyclopentadienyl) (1-η⁵-idenyl)zirconium dichloride (Catalyst C)

[0094] (1) 6,6-hexamethylenefulvene

[0095] 8 g of cycloheptanone (71 mmol) and 14.35 ml of cyclopentadiene (175 mmol) were charged in a 300 ml reaction bottle. 70 ml of CH₃OH was added as a solvent. Then, 8.75 ml of pyrrolidine (105 mmol) was added gradually and the mixture was stirred at room temperature for 30 minutes. Next, 6.3 ml of CH₃COOH (105 mmol) was added gradually and stirred for 10 minutes. 200 ml of H₂O and 200 ml of pentane were used for extraction. The upper pentane portion was collected. The lower water portion was further extracted with pentane three times. The collected pentane portion was dehydrated with MgSO₄, held still for 30 minutes, filtered, and concentrated under reduced pressure to afford a yellow liquid product (10.6 g, yield=93%).

[0096] (2) 1-cyclopentadienyl-1-indenylcycloheptane

[0097] Indene (5.8 g, 50 mmole) was placed in a 250 ml round bottom flask with 50 ml of THF (tetrahydrofuran). 34.3 ml (1.6 M, 55 mmole) of n-butyl lithium (n-BuLi) was added into the solution under an ice bath. The mixture turned orange red. The ice bath was removed and the mixture was stirred for 3 hours. 7.4 g of 6,6-hexamethylenefulvene (46 mmole) was added gradually to the mixture. After stirring for 24 hours, 1 ml of water was added to the mixture to terminate the reaction. The reaction mixture was stripped under vacuum to remove solvent, washed with 100 ml of pentane, and filtered to remove the salt. The crude product (i.e., filtrate) was purified by column chromatography (the packing was 20 g of silica gel, the eluent was 100% pentane). The solution was then concentrated under reduced pressure to obtain a pale yellow liquid (8.6 g, yield=67.7%).

[0098] (3) cycloheptylidene(1-η⁵-cyclopentadienyl)(1-η⁵-indenyl)bis(dimethylamino)zirconium

[0099] 1 g of 1-cyclopentadienyl-1-indenylcycloheptane (3.6 mmol) obtained and Zr(NMe₂)₄ (0.86 g, 3.2 mmol) were placed in a 100 ml round bottle flask. 50 ml of toluene was added to the flask and the mixture was allowed to react for 24 hours. The reaction mixture was stripped under vacuum to remove solvent and then 20 ml of pentane was added to dissolve the residue. The solution was filtered and the filtrate was then concentrated to obtain an orange yellow solid (1.25 g, yield=86%).

[0100] (4) cycloheptylidene(1-η⁵-cyclopentadienyl) (1-η⁵-indenyl)-zirconium dichloride

[0101] 0.5 g of cycloheptylidene(1-η⁵-cyclopentadienyl) (1-η⁵-indenyl)bis(dimethylamino)zirconium (1.1 mmol) was charged in a 100 ml round bottle and 20 ml of toluene was added. 0.36 g of (CH₃)₃SiCl (3.3 mmol) was added gradually at room temperature and the mixture was allowed to react for 24 hours. The reaction mixture stripped under vacuum to remove solvent and washed with pentane several times to remove excess (CH₃)₃SiCl. The pentane solution was then concentrated to obtain a pale yellow solid (0.41 g, yield=85.2%). X-ray crystal structure of the product cycloheptylidene(1-η⁵-cyclopentadienyl) (1-η⁵-indenyl)-zirconium dichloride is shown in FIG. 4. The bite angle of the product is 99.8°.

COMPARATIVE CATALYST EXAMPLE 9

[0102] Synthesis of cyclohexylidene (1-η⁵-cyclopentadienyl) (1-η⁵-idenyl)zirconium dichloride (Catalyst E)

[0103] (1) 6,6-pentamethylenefulvene

[0104] 7 g of cyclohexanone (71 mmol) and 14.35 ml of cyclopentadiene (175 mmol) were charged in a 300 ml reaction bottle. 70 ml of CH₃OH was added as a solvent. Then, 8.75 ml of pyrrolidine (105 mmol) was added gradually and the mixture was stirred at room temperature for 30 minutes. Next, 6.3 ml of CH₃COOH (105 mmol) was added gradually and stirred for 10 minutes. 200 ml of H₂O and 200 ml of pentane were used for extraction. The upper pentane portion was collected. The lower water portion was further extracted with pentane three times. The collected pentane portion was dehydrated with MgSO₄, held still for 30 minutes, filtered, and concentrated under reduced pressure to afford a yellow liquid product (8.7 g, yield=83.3%).

[0105] (2) 1-cyclopentadienyl-1-indenylcyclohexane

[0106] Indene (5.8 g, 50 mmole) was placed in a 250 ml round bottom flask with 50 ml of THF (tetrahydrofuran). 34.3 ml (1.6 M, 55 mmole) of n-butyl lithium (n-BuLi) was added into the solution under an ice bath. The mixture turned orange red. The ice bath was removed and the mixture was stirred for 3 hours. 6.7 g of 6,6-pentamethylenefulvene (46 mmole) was added gradually to the mixture. After stirring for 24 hours, 1 ml of water was added to the mixture to terminate the reaction. The reaction mixture was stripped under vacuum to remove solvent, washed with 100 ml of pentane, and filtered to remove the salt. The crude product (i.e., filtrate) was purified by column chromatography (the packing was 20 g of silica gel, the eluent was 100% pentane). The solution was then concentrated under reduced pressure to obtain a pale yellow liquid (8.3 g, yield=69%).

[0107] (3) cyclohexylidene(1-η⁵-cyclopentadienyl)(1-η⁵-idenyl)bis(dimethylamino)zirconium

[0108] 1 g of 1-cyclopentadienyl-1-indenylcyclohexane (3.8 mmol) obtained and Zr(NMe₂)₄ (0.91 g, 3.4 mmol) were placed in a 100 ml round bottle flask. 50 ml of toluene was added to the flask and the mixture was allowed to react for 24 hours. The reaction mixture was stripped under vacuum to remove solvent and then 20 ml of pentane was added to dissolve the residue. The solution was filtered and the filtrate was then concentrated to obtain an orange yellow solid (1.27 g, yield=84.8%).

[0109] (4) cyclohexylidene(1-η⁵-cyclopentadienyl) (1-η⁵-indenyl)-zirconium dichloride

[0110] 0.53 g of cyclohexylidene(1-η⁵-cyclopentadienyl) (1-η⁵-indenyl)bis(dimethylamino)zirconium (1.2 mmol) was charged in a 100 ml round bottle and 20 ml of toluene was added. 0.39 g of (CH₃)₃SiCl (3.6 mmol) was added gradually at room temperature and the mixture was allowed to react for 24 hours. The reaction mixture stripped under vacuum to remove solvent and washed with pentane several times to remove excess (CH₃)₃SiCl. The pentane solution was then concentrated to obtain a pale yellow solid (0.42 g, yield=82.5%). X-ray crystal structure of the product cyclohexylidene(1-η⁵-cyclopentadienyl) (1-η⁵-indenyl)-zirconium dichloride is shown in FIG. 5. The bite angle of the product is 97.3°.

Polymer Synthesis EXAMPLE A

[0111] Synthesis of Ethylene/Norbornene Copolymer

[0112] Toluene was refluxed in the presence of sodium to remove water to a water content of less than 10 ppm. 500 g of norbornene and 88 g of dry toluene were mixed under nitrogen to obtain an 85 wt % norbornene solution.

[0113] A 500 ml reactor vessel was heated to 120° C., evacuated for 1 hour, and then purged with nitrogen gas three or four times to ensure complete removal of moisture and oxygen. Ethylene was introduced into the reactor to replace nitrogen and expelled. The procedure was repeated again. After this, 100 g of the 85 wt % norbornene solution was then charged in the reactor under a nitrogen atmosphere and the solution was stirred at a rate of 250 rpm while 4 ml of 1.49 M MAO (methyl aluminoxane) was injected into the reactor by a syringe.

[0114] The reactor temperature was adjusted to 100° C. After the temperature was stabilized, 1 mg of the metallocene complex obtained as in Catalyst Example 3 was dissolved in 1 ml of toluene in a glove box. Then, 3 ml of MAO was added in the metallocene solution for activation. After five minutes of activation, the metallocene solution was then injected into the reactor to initiate polymerization and the mixture was stirred at a rate of 750 rpm. Finally, ethylene at a pressure of 15 kg/cm² was introduced into the reactor to a saturation level in the solution and the stir rate for the mixture was maintained at 750 rpm. The reaction proceeded for 30 minutes.

[0115] After the completion of the polymerization reaction, the reaction solution was poured into an acetone solution to precipitate the product. The product was washed with acetone two or three times, filtered, and dried in vacuum oven at 80° C. for 12 hours. The obtained copolymer was 43.2 g. The results for this example are shown in Table 4.

EXAMPLES B TO F

[0116] The same procedures as described in Example A were repeated to prepare various cycloolefin copolymers except that the reaction temperature, the metallocene amount, and the MAO amount were changed. The metallocene used in Examples A to F was the same. The results obtained are is shown in Table 4. TABLE 4 Metallocene Reaction ethylene Yield Complex MAO Temperature pressure (kg/ Activity Tg Example (mg) (ml) (° C.) cm²) (g) (g/gZr · hr) (° C.) A 1 7 100 15 43.2  3.9 × 10⁵ 173 B 0.24 1.3 80 15 10.9 2.07 × 10⁵ 163 C 0.23 1.3 100 15 15.3 5.90 × 10⁵ 176 D 0.22 1.3 120 15 20.4 8.23 × 10⁵ 185 F 0.23 1.3 140 15 26.4 10.2 × 10⁵ 195 F 0.24 1.3 155 15 11.1 4.22 × 10⁵ 193

COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE G

[0117] (Compared with Example A)

[0118] Toluene was refluxed in the presence of sodium to remove water to a water content of less than 10 ppm. 500 g of norbornene and 88 g of dry toluene were mixed under nitrogen to obtain an 85 wt % norbornene solution.

[0119] A 500 ml reactor vessel was heated to 120° C., evacuated for 1 hour, and then purged with nitrogen gas three or four times to ensure complete removal of moisture and oxygen. Ethylene was introduced into the reactor to replace nitrogen and expelled. The procedure was repeated again. After this, 100 g of the 85 wt % norbornene solution was then charged in the reactor under a nitrogen atmosphere and the solution was stirred at a rate of 250 rpm while 4 ml of 1.49 M MAO (methyl aluminoxane) was injected into the reactor by a syringe.

[0120] The reactor temperature was adjusted to 100° C. After the temperature was stabilized, 1 mg of diphenylmethylidene(cyclopentadienyl)(9-fluorenyl) zirconium dichloride was dissolved in 1 ml of toluene in a glove box. Then, 3 ml of MAO was added in the metallocene solution for activation. After five minutes of activation, the metallocene solution was then injected into the reactor to initiate polymerization and the mixture was stirred at a rate of 750 rpm. Finally, ethylene at a pressure of 15 kg/cm² was introduced into the reactor to a saturation level in the solution and the stir rate for the mixture was maintained at 750 rpm. The reaction proceeded for 30 minutes.

[0121] After the completion of the polymerization reaction, the reaction solution was poured into an acetone solution to precipitate the product. The product was washed with acetone two or three times, filtered, and dried in vacuum oven at 80° C. for 12 hours. The obtained copolymer was 26.9 g. The results obtained are shown in Table 5. TABLE 5 Reaction Ethylene MAO(ml)/ Activity Temperature Pressure 100 ml g/gZr · Tg Example (° C.) (kg/cm²) 85% Nb hr (° C.) G 100 15 7 1.60 × 10⁶ 154 A 100 15 7 3.90 × 10⁶ 173

EXAMPLES I TO K

[0122] The same procedures as described in Example A were repeated to prepare various cycloolefin copolymer having a high Tg except that the reaction temperature was set to 120° C., the reaction time was lengthened to 1 hour, the ethylene pressure was changed, and the amounts of metallocene and MAO were changed. The metallocene used is in Examples I to K was the same as that used in Example A. The results obtained are shown in Table 6. TABLE 6 Metallocene Reaction ethylene Yield Complex MAO Temperature pressure (kg/ Activity Tg Example (mg) (ml) (° C.) cm²) (g) (g/gZr · hr) (° C.) I 1.05 1.3 120 3 27.4 1.17 × 10⁵ 292 J 0.52 1.3 120 5 24.4 2.14 × 10⁵ 245 K 0.55 1.3 120 7 34.9 2.87 × 10⁵ 232

COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE L

[0123] (Compared with Example J)

[0124] Toluene was refluxed in the presence of sodium to remove water to a water content of less than 10 ppm. 500 g of norbornene and 88 g of dry toluene were mixed under nitrogen to obtain an 85 wt % norbornene solution.

[0125] A 500 ml reactor vessel was heated to 120° C., evacuated for 1 hour, and then purged with nitrogen gas three or four times to ensure complete removal of moisture and oxygen. Ethylene was introduced into the reactor to replace nitrogen and expelled. The procedure was repeated again. After this, 100 g of the 85 wt % norbornene solution was then charged in the reactor under a nitrogen atmosphere and the solution was stirred at a rate of 250 rpm while 4 ml of 1.49 M MAO (methyl aluminoxane) was injected into the reactor by a syringe.

[0126] The reactor temperature was adjusted to 100° C. After the temperature was stabilized, 1 mg of diphenylmethylidene(cyclopentadienyl)(9-fluorenyl) zirconium dichloride was dissolved in 1 ml of toluene in a glove box. Then, 3 ml of MAO was added in the metallocene solution for activation. After five minutes of activation, the metallocene solution was then injected into the reactor to initiate polymerization and the mixture was stirred at a rate of 750 rpm. Finally, ethylene at a pressure of 15 kg/cm² was introduced into the reactor to a saturation level in the solution and the stir rate for the mixture was maintained at 750 rpm. The reaction proceeded for 30 minutes.

[0127] After the completion of the polymerization reaction, the reaction solution was poured into an acetone solution to precipitate the product. The product was washed with acetone two or three times, filtered, and dried in vacuum oven at 80° C. for 12 hours. The obtained copolymer was 15.3 g. The results obtained are shown in Table 7. TABLE 7 Metallocene Reaction ethylene Yield Complex MAO Temperature pressure (kg/ Activity Tg Example (mg) (ml) (° C.) cm²) (g) (g/gZr · hr) (° C.) J 0.52 1.3 120 5 24.4 2.14 × 10⁵ 245 L 1.00 7 120 5 15.3 9.37 × 10⁴ 199

EXAMPLES M TO O

[0128] The same procedures as described in Example A were repeated to prepare various cycloolefin copolymers except that the reaction temperature was set to 120° C., ethylene pressure was changed, and the amounts of metallocene and MAO were changed. The metallocene used in Examples M to O was the same as that used in Example A. The results obtained are shown in Table 8. TABLE 8 Metallocene Reaction ethylene Yield Complex MAO Temperature pressure (kg/ Activity Tg Example (mg) (ml) (° C.) cm²) (g) (g/gZr · hr) (° C.) M 0.22 1.3 120 15 20.4 8.23 × 10⁵ 185 N 0.49 3.4 120 30 59.0 10.9 × 10⁵ 147 O 0.47 3.4 120 60 52.5 10.0 × 10⁵ 105

EXAMPLES P TO S

[0129] The same procedures as described in Example A were repeated to prepare various cycloolefin copolymers except that the reaction temperature, ethylene pressure, and the amounts of metallocene and MAO were changed. The metallocene used in Examples P to S was the same as that used in Example A. The norbornene used had difference concentrations in these examples. The results obtained are shown in Table 9. TABLE 9 Metallocene norbornene Reaction ethylene Yield Complex MAO concentration Temperature pressure (kg/ Activity Tg Example (mg) (ml) (%) (° C.) cm²) (g) (g/gZr · hr) (° C.) P 0.23 1.3 85 120 15 28.5 5.50 × 10⁵ 183 Q 0.22 1.3 50 120 15 30.8 12.4 × 10⁵ 156 R 0.46 5.2 85 100 60 70.6 1.36 × 10⁵ 103 S 0.47 5.2 50 100 60 33.0 6.30 × 10⁵  66

EXAMPLE T

[0130] The same procedures as described in Example A were employed, except that the metallocene compound used was changed to that prepared from Example 5, the reaction temperature was 120° C., the reaction time was 10 minutes, and Al/Zr in mole was 3000. The results are shown in Table 10.

COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE U

[0131] The same procedures as described in Example T were employed, except that the metallocene compound used was changed to those used in U.S. Pat. No. 5,559,199 (dimethyl silyl-(1-indenyl)-cyclopentadienyl zirconium dichloride and U.S. Pat. No. 5,602,219 (isopropenylidene cyclopentadienyl fluorenyl) zirconium dichloride. The results are shown in Table 10. TABLE 10 Ethylene Reaction Norbornene pressure time Yield Tg Activity Conversion Catalysts (kg/cm²) (min) (g) (° C.) g/g Zr · hr (%) USP 5,559,199 15 10 4.8 89.66  3.9 E + 05 5.1 USP 5,602,219 15 10 23.6 159.96 1.92 E + 06 25.40 Catalyst 15 10 32.0 186.15 2.59 E + 06 36.29 prepared in Catalyst Example 5

[0132] It can be seen from Table 10 that compared with the conventional catalyst systems, using the catalyst composition of the present invention, the obtained cycloolefin copolymer has an increased norbornene conversion and a substantially increased glass transition temperature (Tg), still maintaining high catalytic activity.

POLYMERIZATION EXAMPLE 1

[0133] Synthesis of Ethylene/Norbornene Copolymer

[0134] A 500 ml reactor vessel was purged with nitrogen three or four times. 100 ml of a norbornene solution (85 wt % in toluene) was introduced into the reactor vessel under nitrogen. The stirring rate was adjusted to 250 rpm. Ethylene was introduced into the reactor to replace nitrogen and expelled. The procedure was repeated three times. After this, 2 ml of MAO (1.49 M) was injected into the reactor at 60° C. 0.012 of catalyst A [cyclobutylidene(1-η⁵-cyclopentadienyl)(1-η⁵-idenyl)zirconium dichloride] prepared from Catalyst Example 6 was dissolved in 10 ml of toluene in a glove box and 0.4 ml of MAO (1.49 M) was added to 0.9 g of the catalyst solution (2.74×10⁻⁶ mol). After five minutes of activation, the catalyst solution (containing MAO) was then injected into the reactor. When the mixture was heated to the reaction temperature (100° C.), ethylene at a pressure of 1.0 kg/cm² was introduced into the reactor to start polymerization and the stir rate for the mixture was maintained at 750 rpm. The reaction proceeded for 30 minutes.

[0135] After the completion of the polymerization reaction, the reaction solution was diluted with 100 ml of toluene and then poured into an acetone solution (containing diluted HF) to precipitate the product. The product was washed with acetone two or three times, filtered, and dried in vacuum oven for 12 hours. The obtained is copolymer was 26.3 g. The results for this example are shown in Table 11.

POLYMERIZATION EXAMPLES 2-3

[0136] The same procedures as described in Polymerization Example 1 were employed except that the metallocene catalysts used were changed to Catalyst B [cyclopentylidene(1-η⁵-cyclopentadienyl)(1-η⁵-idenyl)zirconium dichloride] (0.95 g, 2.74×10⁻⁶ mol) prepared from Catalyst Example 7 and Catalyst C [cycloheptylidene(1-η⁵-cyclopentadienyl)(1-η⁵-indenyl)-zirconium dichloride] (1.0 g, 2.74×10⁻⁶ mol) prepared from Comparative Catalyst Example 8 respectively. The results are shown in Table 11.

COMPARATIVE POLYMERIZATION EXAMPLE 4

[0137] The same procedures as described in Polymerization Example 1 were employed except that the metallocene catalyst used was changed to Catalyst D [diphenylmethylidene (cyclopentadienyl)(9-fluorenyl)-zirconium dichloride] (1.3 g, 2.74×10⁻⁶ mol). The results are shown in Table 11.

COMPARATIVE POLYMERIZATION EXAMPLE 5

[0138] The same procedures as described in Polymerization Example 1 were employed except that the metallocene catalyst used was changed to 0.97 g (2.74×10⁻⁶ mol) of Catalyst E obtained from Comparative Catalyst Example 9 mol). The results are shown in Table 11. TABLE 11 Catalyst Polymeri- (member number zation of the Product Activity Tg Example bridging ring) (g) (g/gZr · hr) (° C.) 1 A (four members) 26.3 2.1 × 10⁵ 289.1 2 B (five members) 26.3 2.1 × 10⁵ 288.3 3 C (seven members) 21.5 1.7 × 10⁵ 285.8 4 D (no ring) 6.9 0.5 × 10⁵ 216.3 5 B (six members) 15.7 1.3 × 10⁵ 288.3

POLYMERIZATION EXAMPLE 6

[0139] The same procedures as described in Polymerization Example 1 were employed except that the reaction temperature was changed to 120° C. and the reaction pressure was changed to 1.5 kg/cm². The results are shown in Table 12.

POLYMERIZATION EXAMPLES 7-9

[0140] The same procedures as described in Polymerization Example 6 were employed except that the metallocene catalysts used were changed to Catalyst B (0.95 g, 2.74×10⁻⁶ mol), Catalyst C (1.0 g, 2.74×10⁻⁶ mol), and Catalsyt E (0.97 g, 2.74×10⁻⁶ mol) respectively. The results are shown in Table 12. TABLE 12 Catalyst Polymeri- (member number zation of the Product Activity Tg Example bridging ring) (g) (g/gZr · hr) (° C.) 6 A (four members) 33.4 2.7 × 10⁵ 330.2 7 B (five members) 33.6 2.6 × 10⁵ 317.1 8 C (seven members) 29.4 2.4 × 10⁵ 310.3 9 E (six members) 19.5 1.6 × 10⁵ 309.9

POLYMERIZATION EXAMPLE 10

[0141] The same procedures as described in Polymerization Example 6 were employed except that the reaction time was changed to 20 minutes. The results are shown in Table 13.

POLYMERIZATION EXAMPLES 11-13

[0142] The same procedures as described in Polymerization Example 10 were employed except that the metallocene catalysts used were changed to Catalyst B (0.95 g, 2.74×10⁻⁶ mol), Catalyst C (1.0 g, 2.74×10⁻⁶ mol), and Catalyst E (0.97 g, 2.74×10⁻⁶ mol) respectively. The results are shown in Table 13. TABLE 13 Catalyst Polymeri- (member number zation of the Product Activity Tg Example bridging ring) (g) (g/gZr · hr) (° C.) 10 A (four members) 26.0 3.1 × 10⁵ 312.1 11 B (five members) 26.0 3.1 × 10⁵ 307.1 12 C (seven members) 25.7 3.1 × 10⁵ 305.7 13 E (six members) 14.6 1.7 × 10⁵ 310.3

[0143] Tables 11-13 compare the polymerization using the catalyst composition of the present invention and the conventional one. The inventive catalyst composition includes a metallocene bridged by a four- or five-member ring. The conventional catalyst composition includes a metallocene bridged by a six- or seven-member ring, or bridged by a carbon with no ring. It can be seen from Tables 11-13 that compared with the conventional catalyst systems, using the catalyst composition of the present invention, the obtained cycloolefin copolymer has an increased norbornene conversion and a substantially increased glass transition temperature (Tg), still maintaining high catalytic activity.

[0144] The foregoing description of the preferred embodiments of this invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. Obvious modifications or variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments chosen and described provide an excellent illustration of the principles of this invention and its practical application to thereby enable those skilled in the art to utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. All such modifications and variations are within the scope of the present invention as determined by the appended claims when interpreted in accordance with the breadth to which they are fairly, legally, and equitably entitled. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A catalyst composition for preparing an olefin polymer, comprising: (a) a metallocene compound represented by the formula (I)

wherein R¹ can be the same or different and is hydrogen, halogen, an alkyl, alkenyl, aryl, alkylaryl or arylalkyl group having from 1 to 20 carbon atoms, or two adjacent R¹ groups can link together with the carbon atoms to ii which they are attached to form a saturated or unsaturated ring system having from 4 to 20 carbon atoms; R² can be the same or different and has the same definition as R¹; X is carbon, silicon, germanium, or tin; n is 2, 3 or 4; R³ and R⁴ can be the same or different and are hydrogen, halogen, an alkyl, alkenyl, aryl, alkylaryl or arylalkyl group having from 1 to 12 carbon atoms; M is a Group IVB transition metal with an oxidation state of +4; Y is the same or different and is independently an anionic ligand with a −1 valence; and the angle θ formed by the two cyclopentadienyl rings and X is equal to or greater than 100 degrees; (b) an activating cocatalyst of (1) an aluminoxane, (2) a mixture of AlR¹¹R¹²R¹³ and a borate, or (3) a mixture of AlR¹¹R¹²R¹³ and an aluminoxane, wherein R¹¹, R¹², and R¹³ are a C₁₋₂₀ aliphatic group or a C₆₋₁₀ aromatic group.
 2. The catalyst composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of R¹ and R² is H, C₁₋₁₀ alkyl, C₁₋₁₀ alkenyl, C₆₋₁₀ aryl, C₇₋₁₀ alkylaryl, or C₇₋₁₀ arylalkyl.
 3. The catalyst composition as claimed in claim 2, wherein each of R¹ and R² is H, methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, isobutyl, amyl, isoamyl, hexyl, 2-ethylhexyl, heptyl, octyl, vinyl, allyl, isopropenyl, phenyl, or tolyl.
 4. The catalyst composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein two adjacent R¹ groups link together with the carbon atoms to which they are attached to form a saturated or unsaturated ring system having from 4 to 20 carbon atoms.
 5. The catalyst composition as claimed in claim 4, wherein two adjacent R¹ groups link together with the cyclopentadienyl moiety to which they are attached to form a saturated or unsaturated polycyclic cyclopentadienyl ligand.
 6. The catalyst composition as claimed in claim 5, wherein two adjacent R¹ groups link together with the cyclopentadienyl moiety to which they are attached to form an indenyl, tetrahydroindenyl, fluorenyl or octahydrofluorenyl group.
 7. The catalyst composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein two adjacent R² groups link together with the carbon atoms to which they are attached to form a saturated or unsaturated ring system having from 4 to 20 carbon atoms.
 8. The catalyst composition as claimed in claim 7, wherein two adjacent R² groups link together with the cyclopentadienyl moiety to which they are attached to form a saturated or unsaturated polycyclic cyclopentadienyl ligand.
 9. The catalyst composition as claimed in claim 8, wherein two adjacent R² groups link together with the cyclopentadienyl moiety to which they are attached to form an indenyl, tetrahydroindenyl, fluorenyl or octahydrofluorenyl group.
 10. The catalyst composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein X is carbon.
 11. The catalyst composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein Y is H, a C₁₋₂₀ hydrocarbon group, a halogen, a C₆₋₂₀ aryl group, a C₇₋₂₀ arylalkyl group or alkylaryl group, a C₁₋₂₀ alkoxy group, a C₁₋₂₀ aryloxy group, —NH₂, —NHR⁷, —NR⁷R⁸, —(C═O)NH₂, —(C═O)NHR⁹, or —(C═O)NR⁹R¹⁰, and each of R⁷, R⁸, R⁹ and R¹⁰ is a C₁₋₂₀ hydrocarbyl group.
 12. The catalyst composition as in claim 1, wherein Y is a halogen or —N(CH₃)₂.
 13. A process for preparing an olefin polymer, comprising the step of: polymerizing (a) an olefin, or (b) at least one olefin with at least one other monomer, under polymerizing conditions in the presence of a catalytically effective amount of the catalyst composition as claimed in claim
 1. 14. The process as claimed in claim 13, wherein the process comprises polymerizing (a) an olefin, and the olefin is a cycloolefin.
 15. The process as claimed in claim 13, wherein the process comprises polymerizing (b) at least one olefin with at least one other monomer, and wherein the olefin is a cycloolefin and the other monomer is an acyclic olefin.
 16. The process as claimed in claim 15, wherein the cycloolefin is a bicycloheptene, a tricyclodecene, a tricycloundecene, a tetracyclododecene, a pentacyclopentadecene, a pentacyclopentadecadiene, a pentacyclohexadecene, a hexacycloheptadecene, a heptacycloeicosene, a heptacycloheneicosene, a octacyclodocosene, a nonacyclopentacosene, or a nonacyclohexacosene.
 17. The process as claimed in claim 15, wherein the acyclic olefin is ethylene or an (α-olefin having 3 to 12 carbon atoms.
 18. The process as claimed in claim 17, wherein the α-olefin is propylene, 1-butene, 1-pentene, 1-hexene, or 1-octene.
 19. The process as claimed in claim 15, wherein the process comprises polymerizing (b) a cycloolefin with an acyclic olefin, and wherein the cycloolefin is norbornene and the acyclic olefin is ethylene.
 20. The process as claimed in claim 15, wherein the olefin polymer resulted has a glass transition temperature ranging from 60° C.-350° C.
 21. The process as claimed in claim 15, wherein the olefin polymer results has a glass transition temperature ranging from 120° C.-350° C.
 22. The process as claimed in claim 15, wherein the olefin polymer results has a glass transition temperature ranging from 250° C.-350° C.
 23. The process as claimed in claim 13, wherein the metallocene compound of formula (I) has the structure

wherein R is a C₁-C₂₀ hydrocarbyl group.
 24. The process as claimed in claim 13, wherein the metallocene compound of formula (I) has the structure

wherein R is a C₁-C₂₀ hydrocarbyl group.
 25. The process as claimed in claim 13, wherein the metallocene compound of formula (I) has the structure

wherein R is a C₁-C₂₀ hydrocarbyl group.
 26. The process as claimed in claim 13, wherein the metallocene compound of formula (I) has the structure

wherein A is halogen.
 27. The process as claimed in claim 13, wherein the metallocene compound of formula (I) has the structure

wherein R is a C₁-C₂₀ hydrocarbyl group.
 28. The process as claimed in claim 13, wherein the metallocene compound of formula (I) has the structure

wherein R is a C₁₋₂₀ hydrocarbyl group.
 29. The process as claimed in claim 13, wherein the metallocene compound of formula (I) has the structure

wherein A is halogen.
 30. The process as claimed in claim 13, wherein the metallocene compound of formula (I) has the structure 